Hector Bellerin has revealed he left boyhood side Barcelona for Arsenal because of the Premier League club's desire to sign him.

The right back moved to north London in 2011 and has not looked back since, becoming a crucial part of Arsene Wenger's first-team plans.

Bellerin has revealed he was on the verge of signing a professional contract with Barcelona before Arsenal made a desperate swoop for him at the age of 16.

Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin has revealed his reasons behind his move away from Barcelona

Arsene Wenger was one of the main reasons behind Bellerin's move to the north London outfit

Arsenal are just two points off top spot

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Bellerin said: 'When you get to 16 at Barcelona, it's the age that you sign your main contract. I was about to sign that but we knew there were a lot of other options because you always get them from other teams at that time.

'I didn't have the option to come to Arsenal until I was right about to sign with Barcelona. When it came, they were so serious about it, more serious than any other team. They made me feel really wanted.

'I came here for a weekend. I met the boss and I remember I went to the game. We beat Manchester United and I remember [Aaron] Ramsey scoring. I still have all those images in my mind.

Share this article

Share

'To be 16 years old, to be able to speak to the boss and get reassured that they really wanted me, plus seeing all the facilities at the training ground and how easy they were going to make it for me to adapt, it all made me tell my parents that I wanted to come here.

'I remember I was on the plane back and I already said to my mum that I wanted to come to Arsenal. My mum was like, "Are you sure you can leave your family and friends?" But there was something inside telling me this was the right choice to make and at the moment, I'm very happy that I made that step.'

The 20-year-old Spaniard, who has beaten off competition from Mathieu Debuchy to become the club's first choice right back, has made 19 appearances for the club so far this season.

He will be hoping to start against Premier League rivals Manchester City on Monday.

Mathieu Debuchy (left, pictured with Arsenal team-mate Mathieu Flamini) has lost his starting spot to Bellerin